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Home , Lakshadweep

LAKSHADWEEP

7.152 Lakshadweep an consisting of islands and reefs, is the smallest of . This smallest Union Territory of India is known for its only coral islands chain. These beautiful and unpolluted Islands comprising of total land mass area of 32 Sq. Kms, are surrounded by around 4,200 Sq.Km territorial sea area. There are 36 islands (3 reefs and 6 submerged sandy banks) in all, of which, 10 are inhabited and scattered in the at distance of 220 to 440 Kms. of the west of . The entire indigenous population has been classified as Scheduled Tribe. The main occupation of the people is , cultivation and - twisting. The islands are designated as restricted area and permit from the UT Administration is required to visit the islands. is the Administrative headquarter of the Union Territory. A brief of achievements, activities and important policies of the Administration in the year 2017-18 are given hereunder:

TRANSPORTATION/ UTILITY SECTOR

SHIPPING

7.153 The Ministry of Home Affairs has accorded in principle approval to the perspective plan of 2015-2030 which recommends acquisition of following passenger ships and cargo ships to meet the growing passenger/ cargo demand:-

a) One all weather 500 passenger ship for induction by 2020 which would provide connectivity between and Kavaratti, the capital, which would act as a Hub. b) Two 150 passenger all weather vessels by 2020 to ensure round the year connectivity between Kavaratti (Hub) to other islands and vice versa. c) Two 150 passenger all weather vessels by 2025 to operate between islands to /Mangalore and for induction at the time of withdrawal of MV. Amindivi & MV . d) One 250 passenger all weather ship for tourists visiting islands. e) One LPG Cylinder carrier ship. f) 2 No x 600 MT Multipurpose cargo ship.

TRANSPORT

7.154 E-Rickshaw Sevan has recently been introduced in Lakshadweep, under which a subsidy of 50% (limiting to Rs.50,000/-) to the residents of Lakshadweep shall be provided on purchase of new E-Rickshaw.

ELECTRICITY

7.155 5 DG sets are proposed in the Schematic Budget/ Outcome Budget 2017- 18, (Kavaratti 1 No, 2 Nos, Kadmat 1 No and Agatti 1 No). Supply of 8 250 KVA step down transformers and 3 step up transformers have also been tendered. The step down transformers are proposed for Amini (1 No.), (2 Nos.), Andrott (2 Nos.), Kadmath (2 Nos) and (1 No.). The step up transformers are proposed for Kalpeni (1 No.), Kadmat (1 No.) and Chetlat (1 No.)

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

7.156 Anti Sea Erosion works at Andrott, Bangaram and Agatti worth Rs.194 have been completed during this year.

PLANNING, STATISTICS AND TAXATION

7.157 The GST has been rolled out in the U.T. As a short term measure, CBEC has been asked to collect and administer GST for all assessees of UTL for a period up to 31st March 2018. A range office of CBEC has been established at Kavaratti for Administering CGST/UTGST.

AGRICULTURE

7.158 On the lines of 'Kudumbashree’of Kerala, the UT Administration is in process of constituting ‘35 Dweep Mahila Sangam’ for which Rs.46 has been transferred to District Panchayat. A Perspective Plan for the integrated development of Agriculture in the UT has been submitted to Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare requesting financial package of Rs.37 Crore.

FISHERIES

7.159 New Marine Engineering Workshop with upgraded facilities have been setup at Kalpeni island. Its service is one of the major services of the Department of Fisheries which is being provided to the fishermen of the islands. There is no private workshop in the UT. A Fish Market has also been constructed by the Department at Kalpeni to handle and sell the fish caught in a hygienic way. 100 Nos of GPS have been procured and issued to fisherman in all islands at 75 % subsidy, for navigation purpose, and this will help the fishermen to reach specific locations for fishing activities.

INDUSTRIES

7.160 The Department of Industries has been provided fund allocation of Rs.15.00 lakhs under the scheme for providing 25% Capital Investment Subsidy for registered Small Scale Industrial Units to uplift the Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneurs in the islands during this Financial year 2017-18. Also, an amount of Rs.4.00 lakh each has been earmarked for conducting short term training courses for the promotion of self employment to local ST entrepreneurs under Human Resources Development Programme as well as for providing Grant in Aid to District Panchayat, Kavaratti for conducting Entrepreneurs Development Programs for the local youth in Lakshadweep islands.

SOCIAL SECTOR

EDUCATION

7.161 During the year 2017-18, Project Approval Board of SSA Lakshadweep has approved an outlay of Rs.406.512 lakhs to promote Primary Education (class I- VIII) under various interventions of SSA. An amount of Rs.10.42 lakhs has been approved for Teacher Training for Primary School Teachers. Computer Aided Learning is one of the thrust areas under SSA and the Ministry has approved an amount of Rs.25.00 lakhs for the procurement of the Computer & Computer accessories. Action has been initiated for the procurement of 52 computers through LITSS to strengthen IT based Education in schools. An amount of Rs.25 lakhs has been released to 22 schools to procure Laboratory articles to promote Mathematics & Science Education. School Grants, Maintenance Grants, Teacher Grant, CRC Meeting TA & BRC Meeting TA were released to strengthen infrastructure facilities of the schools. Primary School Teachers (32), Cluster Resource Coordinators (9), Resource Persons (10) Part Time Instructors (19), Resource Teachers for CWSN (5) & BRC Staff (9) have already been appointed to support Human Resource to improve the Quality of Education under SSA. The SSA Mission has also released fund to observe World Disabled Day & Sanctioned Escort allowance @ Rs.300/- per month for 80 Children with Special Needs as per the request of the Principal & Member Secretary SSA of various islands. SSA Mission has proposed for release of an amount of Rs.1.00 lakhs to conduct Community Mobilization Programme for creating Awareness among the people about the need for improving the standard of Primary Education. Rs.7.44 Lakhs is earmarked for learning enhancement programme and Rs.12.50 Lakhs for innovation activity in all schools for girls student as well as Rs.12.50 Lakhs for innovation activity for SC/ST. Rs.12.50 Lakhs has been released for innovation activity for minority children. Rs.1.28 Lakhs has been released to self-evaluation programme Shala Sidhi.

FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES & CONSUMER AFFAIRS

7.162 The UT Administration is one among the first few states (the 2nd UT in the country after ) which had implemented NFSA. Under NFSA a population of approximately 22000 is covered with effect from August, 2015. All the ration cards are digitized and seeding of Aadhar reached 98.72% in NFSA ration cards. Most of the prerequisites for the computerization of PDS have been completed. The State Food Commission for the purpose of monitoring and reviewing of the implementation of NFSA has been constituted. Under NFSA coverage, AAY families get 35 kg rice per card per month @ Rs.3.00/Kg, each member of PHH family get 5 Kg/head/month at Rs.3/Kg and APL members 6 Kg/adult/month and 2 Kg/child/month @ Rs.9.5/Kg. Beneficiaries under Annapoorna category get 10 Kg of rice/head/month at free of cost. As part of the implementation of End to End Computerization of E-PDS, the UTL Administration has procured PoS devices and installed them in 39 Fair Price Shops (FPS).

SOCIAL WELFARE & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

7.163 Cost of artificial limbs, wheel Chairs, Tri Cycle, Hearing aids etc;

1. Department has arranged to provide artificial limbs, wheel chairs, tricycle hearing aide etc. to needy Divyangjan (Differently abled) considering their financial difficulty. 2. Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance to the Divyangjan is provided for specialized treatment at mainland with one escort. 3. Barrier Free Approach: Ramps have been provided on the ground floors of the Schools, Hospitals, Secretariat and other government building to facilitate the easy movement of the Divyangjan. 4. KIOSKS: The Administration has constructed KIOSKS in islands to promote self employment among Divyangjan. 5. Identity Card: The Administration is providing identity card to Divyangjan for getting concessions for their journeys. Simplification of Identity Card is under process. 6. Concession to ship fare to Divyangjan: The Administration has already granted 50% concession in fare and reserved 2 seats for Divyangjan of islands, in ships owned by the Administration. 7. Under National Assistance Programme (Annapoorna), free ration (rice) @ 10 Kg per month is being provided to old aged and BPL above the age of 65 years through Registrar of Cooperative societies. 8. Likewise, under National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), Rs.5000/- and Rs.10,000/- is given as assistance to aggrieved family on the demise of bread winner of the family, through Panchayat.

WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

7.164 UT Administration is implementing Maternity Benefit Programme IGMSY, now called as Pradan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) with an objective to improve the health and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women by providing cash payment directly @ Rs.6000/-.

7.165 As part of women empowerment programme a working women’s Hostels has been made functional at Kavaratti.

7.166 Administration has constituted State Mission Authority for Empowerment of Women with a view to empower the women socially, Economically and educationally. 7.167 The Administration is giving incentive for starting Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the form of working capital and training. Awareness programme for SHG members and Adolescent Girls has been arranged in islands. Administration has organized Food Fest at island in connection with important National days and celebrations. Around 5000 unemployed women are brought under the Self employment programmes in islands. Also, one Tailoring Institute is functioning under the Administration in each island.

7.168 Lakshadweep is one among the 100 Districts selected for implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). In the UTL, the limited no. of births (very small number) results in huge percentage variation and there is no specific trend for low CSR (Child Sex Rules). However, the Administration has launched the scheme BBBP and conducted many activities in connection with BBBP week celebration from 9th to 14th October. Apart from this, District, State and island Level Task Force Committees have been constituted. Nodal Officers have been appointed from Department of Health, Education and Panchayath for smooth monitoring of BBBP Scheme.

POLICE

7.169 For the first time in the history of Lakshadweep Police, Administration has instituted the UT level, Administrator’s Police Medal for Meritorious service and it was awarded to Police Personnel on the occasion of Independence Day, 2017. Also, President Police Medal was announced by Ministry for one Police Officer and one Police personnel of Lakshadweep. For the first time Lakshadweep Police Department’s Volley Ball team participated in the 66th All India Police Volley Ball Cluster Championship 2017 at Ranchi organised by Police.

LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

7.170 Air force recruitment rally has been conducted by the Department of Labour & Employment in April, 2017. Recruitment rally for Army was organized between 26th November, 2017 and 30th November, 2017.

7.171 Employment exchange has been transformed as MCC and functioning partially. New building of ITI has been inaugurated in the month of September, 2017.

TOURISM

7.172 With the objective of streamlining the visit of foreign cruise ships and yacht to the islands directly, Agatti and Minicoy islands have been notified by Ministry of Home Affairs as authorized Immigration Check Post and Custom Port for entry into and exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers.